Vegas Betting Preview: Cowboys vs Vikings Game Spread & Free Pick

Thursday Night Football in Week 13 features the Dallas Cowboys at the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is set for 8:25 EST at U.S. Bank Stadium and will be televised on NBC. Oddsmakers have Dallas as a 3.5-point road favorite. The over/under for this matchup is at 43.5 points.

Cowboys vs Vikings Vegas Betting Preview

This is a rare instance where you have two teams playing on normal rest in a Thursday contest. Both Dallas and Minnesota were in action last Thursday on Thanksgiving.

The Cowboys (10-1) held on for a 31-26 win over division rival Washington. Dallas did fail to cover the spread as a 5.5-point favorite. Snapping a streak of 8 straight covers. Minnesota lost 13-16 at Detroit as a 1.5-point dog.

Free Pick & Odds Predictions: Cowboys -3.5

I just don’t know how you go against Dallas at this line. The Cowboys haven’t lost since Week 1 and are a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS on the road this year. Momentum is a powerful thing in the NFL and Dallas is riding a huge wave it right now.

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The fact that the Giants have are sitting just 2-games back of the Cowboys is keeping this team on track. Keep in mind that Dallas already lost at home to the Giants and have to go to New York to face them in Week 14. A loss here and a loss next week and the Cowboys go from the No. 1 seed to the No. 5 seed in the NFC.

Sure the Vikings are in a tight race for the NFC North lead, but this team is trending in the wrong direction. Since starting out 5-0 SU and ATS, Minnesota is just 1-5 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games. This team continues to get respect based off what they did, but the truth is this isn’t anywhere close to the team that started out 5-0. Injuries have ravaged the Vikings on both sides of the ball.

One of the reasons Minnesota isn’t a bigger dog here is their defense continues to get a lot of love. The thing is, I don’t think they are going to be able to slow down this Dallas offensive attack. The Cowboys’ offensive line has had their way against every team they have went up against. That includes some really good defensive fronts in Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Keep in mind this is a Vikings defense that hasn’t been great against the run of late. Minnesota was dominant early on, giving up just 81.7 rushing yards/game in their first 6. Over their last 5 they are giving up 122.4 ypg. The only team they have held under 100 yards in this stretch is Detroit (twice). However, they gave up 97 and 94 yards in those two games against the Lions. Keep in mind that’s a Detroit rushing attack that goes into Week 13 ranked 30th in rushing at 80.8 ypg.

I also don’t think the Cowboys defense is getting near enough love for what they have done. While Dallas ranks 21st in total defense (362.2 ypg), they are 5th in scoring defense (19.4 ppg). The only stat that matters is the points you give up. On top of that, they are facing a bad Vikings offense. Minnesota ranks dead last in total offense (294.9 ypg) and 24th in scoring (19.8 ppg). It’s also worth pointing out only one team outside the NFC East has scored more than 17 against Dallas. That was Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers dynamic offense, which put up 30 points in a loss.

I just feel that Dallas has the edge talent wise on both sides of the ball. The only factor favoring Minnesota is they are playing at home. I just don’t think it will be enough for them to keep this within a touchdown.